Forensics - Behaviour Modification Flashcards
Behaviourist Principles - Undesirable behaviours can be unlearned
The behaviourist approach proposes that all behaviour is learned- and therefore it should be possible to unlearn behaviour using the same principles.
Behaviour modification programmes reinforce obedient behaviour whilst punishing disobedience
Token economy
Based on operant conditioning
Desirable inmate behaviour are rewarded with tokens
These might include avoiding confrontation, staying quiet in the cells , following rules
Tokens may be removed= punishment
Token are secondary reinforcers
Tokens aren’t rewarding in themselves but rewarding because they can be exchanged for something desirable (primary reinforcer) .
Primary reinforcer = a phone call to a loved one, time in the gym, extra cigarettes or food
Operationalise target behaviour
By breaking them down into component parts eg ‘Interaction with other prisoners’ may be broken down into ‘speaking politely to others’
Each ‘unit’ of behaviour should be objective and measurable and agreed with staff and prisoners in advance
Scoring system
Staff and prisoners should be made aware of how much each behaviour is worth in terms of tokens
Behaviours are hierarchical, some are more demanding than others
Tokens may be awarded directly or points may be awarded and converted to tokens
Train staff
Prison staff receive full training
Aim is to standardise procedures- so all prison staff reward the same behaviours
Keep record of what tokens are awarded so progress of individual prisoners can be assessed
AO3 - STRENGTH research support
Hobbs and Holt (1976) studied young offenders, those taking part in a token economy programme showed more positive behaviours
Field et al (2004) found some young offenders didn’t respond but did if the rewards were more immediate, frequent and positive
This shows that token economy systems do work
AO3 - STRENGTH behaviour modification is easy to implement
Doesn’t need a specialist to be involved, whereas anger management requires a specialist to implement
Token economy systems can be designed and implemented by anyone. They are cost effective and easy to follow once methods have been established.
This suggests that behaviour modification techniques can be established in most prisons and accessed by most prisoners
AO3 - WEAKNESS little rehabilitative value
Some treatments (eg anger management) are longer lasting because they involve understanding causes of, and taking responsibility for own behaviour
In contrast, offenders can play along with a token economy system to access rewards, but this produces little change in their overall character
This may explain why, once the token economy is discontinued, an offer may quickly regress back to their former behaviour
AO3 -WEAKNESS Basset and Blanchard (1977)
